Upcoming Matchup: Knicks vs. Celtics
This Sunday at 12:30 p.m. EST, basketball fans will be treated to an exciting Eastern Conference matchup as the New York Knicks (33 wins, 19 losses) face off against the Boston Celtics (34 wins, 18 losses) in Boston.
Team Performance
The Celtics are looking to extend their current winning streak to six games, showcasing their strong performance with a record of 23-12 against conference rivals. Despite a solid season, they have struggled in tightly contested games, holding a record of just 5-6 in games decided by three points or less.
Meanwhile, the Knicks, who maintain a commendable 22-12 record within the Eastern Conference, have been putting up impressive numbers with an average of 117.5 points per game while outpacing their opponents by 5.2 points. On the offensive front, the Celtics score an average of 115.6 points per game, slightly edging out the Knicks in that category. Notably, New York allows 112.3 points on average, which puts them at a disadvantage if Boston continues to capitalize on its scoring abilities.
Previous Encounters
Both teams have met twice already this season, with Boston winning their last encounter 123-117 on December 3. In that game, Jaylen Brown was a standout performer for the Celtics, contributing a remarkable 42 points, while Mikal Bridges led the Knicks with 35 points.
Individual Player Statistics
As for individual statistics, Jaylen Brown is currently averaging 29.5 points along with 7 rebounds and 4.7 assists for the Celtics, while teammate Payton Pritchard has been contributing with an average of 20 points and 5 assists over his last ten games. On the Knicks’ side, Jalen Brunson is having a stellar season, averaging 27.1 points per game and adding 3.3 rebounds. Landry Shamet also stands out for New York, making nearly 3 three-pointers per game in recent outings.
Recent Form
Analyzing their recent form, both teams come into this matchup with strong records; the Celtics have gone 8-2 in their last 10 games, averaging 110.9 points while their opponents averaged 101.6. The Knicks share a similar record, also standing at 8-2 over their last 10 games but with higher scoring averages of 113.6 points per game against opponents averaging 101.1.
Injury Reports
In terms of player availability, the Celtics will be missing all-star forward Jayson Tatum due to an Achilles injury. The Knicks face their own injury concerns with several players listed as day-to-day, including OG Anunoby (toe), Karl-Anthony Towns (eye), Josh Hart (ankle), and Jose Alvarado (not injury-related), while Miles McBride is confirmed out with an ankle injury.
